Pittsburgh Bassist Paul Thompson has been a regular fixture as a performer and educator for more than two decades.

Early in his career, he toured with the Maynard Ferguson band and Stanley Turrentine, and then came home to become a busy performer and teacher based out of Pittsburgh.

Then COVID-19 hit - and Paul’s teaching for CAPA and Duquesne University went online, and Paul’s performing shifted to online. And suddenly, after a few months, Paul became a bass sensation of sorts on YouTube.

We caught up with Paul to talk about how things have been going, and what’s next. Plus, we hear music of Paul - from work with Max Leake and Thomas Wendt to bass features with Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau Band.

Plus, a remix of one of Paul’s online appearances by drummer and producer George Heid III.

We also check in with the nascent return of jazz for the Spring in Pittsburgh.

The Scene - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoon at 5 on WZUM.